Feeding mechanism



Dec. 10, 1929. w. G. ALDEEN FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed July 3; 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet Dec. 10, 1929. w. G. ALDEEN FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed July 3, 1920 3 Sheets-Shee w. G. ALDEEN 1,739,054

FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed July 3. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 10, 1929.

. r a 1% m Q 5$ an! m 4 K W a @n vrlm W J r m a M 1% 4M Nb l\ 5 h [M QR K Na w QM; K

Patented Dec. 10, 1929 UNITE STATES PATENT easier:-

WILI-IELM GEZDOR ALDEE u, on RecKFoR-n, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T NATIONAL Lee 06.,

OF ROCKFORD, innmeis a CORPORATION on DELAWARE mamas Mechanism Original application filed Jul 3, 1920, sensin 393,923, new Patent No. 1,529,645.

Divided and this application filed March 10, 1924'. Serial massacres.

My invention relates to ieeding-iiiechanisms for automatic machinery adapted to hianufacture large quantities of duplicate parts.

The rimary object of my invention is to provide an automatic feeding mechanism for quantity production which will be reliable and eflicient in operation.

Another obj set is to provide a unitary feedmechanism Which can be applied to many dillerenttypes of machines, and can be bodily adjusted thereonto handle different kinds of Work.

A furtheif object is to provide a feeding mechanism inavhich themovable parts apt to be blockedby defective operation are re siliently actuated so that such blocking" will not break or injute any of the parts of the feeding mechanism or the machine with Which it is used.

Another object is to provide a feeding hrechariism in which all the parts adapted to receive the Work blank are Widely adjustable to preperly support and position WOIl'C blanks 0e diil'erent sizes and shapes.

A detailed object is to provide feeding mechanism in which the work blank is carried from a feed chute to a remotely positioned chucking device by a pair of trans fer slides operating; at right angles to each other and comprising respectively an adjust"- able cradle to receive and an adjustable holder with spring pressed fingersto grasp the Work blank, the initial and final positions of said 5 slides being adjustably controlled to insure aceuracy and certainty of operation at the points of transfer.

Further objects and advantageswill become apparent the description proceeds. 0 In the aecompanying drawings, Figure 1 raginentary side Vle W O f afeeding" mechanism embodying the features of" my invention, said feeding mechanism in this instance being" shown attached to a machine for trimming the heads of bolts.

Fig. 2 is an end View of the feeding mechanism taken along line 2- 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig; 3 is a fiagnientary end View partly in section of said feeding mechanism, taken 0 in theplane of line 3- 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken in the plane efli'ne 4.--4 of 2. a

Fig 5 is a View on an enlarged scale of the adjustablecradle carried by the" horizon tal transfer slide. a

Fig. his sectional view taken in the plane of line 6 of Fig, 1 and showingmeans for adjusting the feed chute.

While my invention is susceptible to vari ous modifications and alternative construd tions, I have illustrated in the drawin s and Will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby Wish to limit theinvention to the'eiiact construction disclosed hut aim to cover in the subjoined claims all modifications and alternative constructions fallinc Within the spirit and scope of the invention. Q I

In the exemplary embodiment of my invention a base 10 serves as a support for the operating" units of a machine tool, Wll'lCll in the present instance isan autolhaticscrewv machine for trimming the heads of screw bolts. Mounted on opposite ends of said base, are a headstock 11 and a tailstock 12, the headstock being equipped with a suitable chuck 13. A pair of cutting tools 14 are mounted for reciprocation toward and from each other betorethe chuck 13 on the base It). A push rod 15 for moving the Work blanks longitudinallyinto the chuck 13 is suppette in axial alineinent With the chuck by the tailstoclk and is accordingly secured to the end of a reciprocatory shaft 16 mounted in upstanding brackets 17 of a casting 18 on the base 10. The shaft 16- is held against rotation by a downwardly extending arm 19 which slidably engages a guide 20 on the casting I8, and is automatically reciprecated bya cam drum 21 engaginga roller (not shown) on the arm 19. The drum 21 is secured to a cam shaft 22 journalled in bearing brackets 23 on the base 10. The above construction is described in my copending application Eaerial No. 393,923 filed July 3, 1920, (Patent No. 1,5295645), of which this application is a division, and forms Iio part of the present invention. y

I have provided a unitary feeding mecha I nism adaptedtolperform all the necessary operations for intermittently delivering a work blank in axial alinement with the chuck 13'where it can be inserted by the pusher 15. This feeding mechanism comprises generally "a main frame or casting 24 which is adjustably secured to the headstock 11 by bolts 25, and which carries an inclined guide bar 26, a

laterally projecting slide bracket 27, a U- shaped bearing bracket 28, and a vertical slide bracket 29 for supporting the various operating parts.

The inclined guide bar 26 and a similar bar 30 supported in spaced relation thereto constitute the side walls of a feed "chute or' receiver. 31.

' bolts 33fextendingthrough horizontal slots 34 inrsaid bracket. A supporting angle V bracket 35 secured to the bar 30 midway of its ends by screws 36 is attached to the under sideof a transverse arm 37 integral with the bar 26 by a'bolt 38 extending through an elongated slot 39 in said arm. It will be apparent that the bars 26 and 30 define a slot adapted to receive the shanks of the bolts, and that the width of said slot can be adjusted for bolts j of different diameters by chan )tions of the bolts 33 and 38. retaining plate 40 is adapted to overlie the heads of the bolts and prevent them from falling the posin adjustable ,ing out of the slot as they slide down the feed which in the present instance comprises a transverse slide 44 carrying a cradle 45 at its forward end. The'slide 44 is mounted for reciprocation in guideways 46 formed-in the under side of the lateral bracket 27, and is held therein by strips 47. The cradle45 is constructed of a pair of spaced projecting arms 48 and 49, said arms being secured to opposite sides of the slide I 44, and having alined cylindrical depressions 50 adapted to receive the shank of the bolt, A third arm 51 is secured against the outer side ofthe arm 49, and is formed with a de- .pression 52 in line with but somewhat larger than the depressions 50. -The forward end of the arm 51 is bent rearwardly against itself, and cooperates with the depression .52 to form a socket for the head of the bolt. Arms with different: sized "depressions are provided, and may be used interchangeably to adapt the cradle 45 for bolts of different diameters. The arm 48 is bent into the form On its lower forward edge, the "bar 30'is formed with a projection 32 which is adjustably secured to the bracket 29 by I of a right angle, the projecting leg of which is provided with a depression 50 in both edges, and the other leg of which is formed with a longitudinal slot 53 engaging a screw 54 and with a guideway 55 in its rear face in engagement with a guide 56 on the front end of the slide 44. The screw 54 is adapted to selectively engage either of two tapped bores 57 in a lateral lug 58 on the slide 44. It will be seen that the arm 48 is reversible, and adjustable along the guide 56 in either of four general positions to accommodate bolts of different lengths.

Intermittent motion'is transmitted to the slide 44 from a cam 59 adjustably mounted on the cam shaft 22. An arm 60 carrying a roller 61 at its lower end to engage the cam 59 is rigidly fastened to a rock shaft 62 pivotally mounted in the U-shaped bracket 28. To resiliently hold the roller 61 in contact with the cam 59, a short arm 63 formed on the hub of the arm 60 is connected by a coil spring 64 to the bight of a U-shaped wire bracket 65 mounted on the journal bracket 28. At its rear end the rock shaft 62 carries .a downwardly projecting arm 67 having a hook shaped end portion 68 adapted to engage the rear side of a depending lug 69 on the slide 44. The throw of the arm 67 is such, that as the cam 59 is rotated in the direction of'the arrow the spring 64 serves to resiliently move the cradle 45 periodically from its position beneath the feed chute 31 to a position in vertical alinement with the axis of the chuck 13.

A tension spring 70 weaker than the coil spring 64 and attached at its forward end to the slide 44 and at its other end to the stationary frame 24 serves to resiliently return the cradle 45 to its initial position after each forward movement. The correct initial position for receiving a bolt from the feed chute 31 is controlled by a threaded rod 71 extending rearwardly from the lateral bracket.27 through an upstanding lug 72 on the slide 44, and carrying an adjustable nut 73 on its outer end adapted to limit the rearward displacement of said lug.

A vertical transfer means is positioned in vertical alinement with the axis of the chuck 13, and in the present instance comprises a slide 74 carrying a holder 75 at its lower end. The slide 74 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in a guide member 76 rigidly secured to the bracket 29. At its lower end the slide 74 is provided with a lateral extension 77 havinga horizontal notch or guideway 78 in its rear face adapted to receive the holder 75.

The holder 75 comprises a back plate 79 having a depending arm 80 at one end and is adjustably retained within the guideway 78 by screws 81 extending through a longitudinal slot 82 in the extension 77. A plurality of transfer fingers 83 are secured opposite each other on the arm 80, and are formed with j to the bent wire bracket 65.

curved low-er ends adapted to receive the shanks of the bolts to be machined. Preferably, the fingers 83 are slidably mounted on pairs of pins 84 projecting from each side of the arm 80, and are resiliently clamped against said arm by coil springs 85 on the lower pins. It will be apparent that the holder 7 5 is susceptible of wide adjustment to properly support and position bolts of different lengths and diameters. Thus, one or more pairs of fingers 83 may be employed for different sized bolts. The fingers 83 ma be properly spaced to receive bolts of different diameters by substituting back plates 79 of different widths. The plate 7 9 is reversible and is adjustable in either position, whereby the fingers 83 may be adjusted laterally to grasp bolts of different lengths.

The slide 74 is driven in synchronism with the cradle 45 and the push rod 15 by a cam 86 on the cam shaft 22. A downwardly eX- tending arm 87 carries a roller 88 to engage the cam 86, and is firmly clamped to a sleeve 89 rotat-ably mounted on the rock shaft 62. To resiliently hold the roller 88 against the cam 86, the arm 87 is provided with a short arm 90 which is connected by a coil spring 91 Clamped on the sleeve 89 next to the arm 87 is a forwardly projecting arm 92 which is pivotally connected at its forward end by a pin 93 to the lower end of a vertical link 94. The link 94 has a slot connection 95 with a pin 96 on a lateral bracket 97 secured to the upper end of the slide 74. A coil spring 98 connects the pins 93 and 96, and serves to resiliently hold the pin 96nor1nally in the lower end of the slot 95. The correct lower position of the fingers 83 before the chuck 13 is controlled by an adjusting bolt 99 threaded through the bracket- 9? and adapted in the downward movementof the slide 74 to engage the fixed guide member C 8 The cam 86 is formed with two projections 100 and 101. As the cam is rotated, the projection 100 will lower the fingers 83 under the influence of the spring 98 and the weight of the slide 74 to grasp the bolt presented by the cradle 45, and then raise them slightly to allow the cradle to be withdrawn. Upon further rotation of the cam 86, the projection 101 will. move the fingers 83 into a position directly in front of the chuck 13, and will allow them to remain there until the bolthas been pushed at least partway into the chuck bv the advancing push rod 15.

Preferably the cams 59 and 86 are formed as an integral unit, and are connected for simultaneous adjustment with the feeding mechanism by a. prong or fork 102 engaging an annular groove 103 in a collar 104 projecting laterally from the cam 86.

The operation of the feeding mechanism will be apparent from the preceding description and briefly stated is as follows: A bolt is conducted down the feed chute 31 into the a fixed portion waiting cradle 45. The cam 59 then allows the spring 64 to advance the cradle 45 into a position directly beneath the feed fingers 83. The cam 86 now allows the spring 98 to move the fingers 83 into resilient engagement with the bolt, and then retracts them until the cradle 45 has been withdrawn into its initial position. The fingers 83 are again lowered to position the bolt directly in axial alinement with the chuck 13. Excess throw of the project-ion 101 is "taken up by the slotted connec tion 95 between the link 94 and pin 96. The push rod 15 advances, and forces the bolt into the chuck 13, after which the cam 86 allows the spring 91 to return the fingers 83 into their initial position.

By the above construction, the feeding mechanism may be bodily adjusted relative to the headstock 11. The conductor 31, cradle 45 and holder 75 are each adjustable to properly support work blanks of different sizes. A wide range of adjustment is provided in each instance. The transfer slides 44 and T4 are spring actuated in both directions of movement, thereby avoiding breakage of parts when some element is blocked or inoperative. Adjustable means are provided to correctly position the slides at each point of transfer to insure accuracy and certainty in the work blanks The construction of all the parts is simple and sturdy. I have herein shown the invention as applied to a bolt trimming mechanism for purposes of illustration,

but contemplate that it is adapted for use on other types of machine tools and to serve many other purposes.

I claim as my invention:

1. A unitary feeding mechanism comprising, in combination a supporting structure, a. feed chute and two transfer mechanisms carried by said structure, means for mount ing said structure for linear adjustment on of the framework of a machine, actuating elements for said nut-chanisms adjustably mounted on said framework, and

means forming part of said structure and operatively connected to said actuating elements to adjust said elements with said structure so as to keep said elements in coacting relation with said mechanisms in all positions of adjustment.

2. In a device of the class described, a supporting structure, a feed chute carried by said structure, means for mounting said structure in longitudinally adjustable position with respect to the chucking mechanism of an automatic machine, a horizontal slide adapted to receive an article from said chute and move it to a position directly above the axis of said chucking mechanism, a vertical slide adapted to receive an article from the horizontal slide and move it down into alinement with the axis of said chucking mechanism, said horizontal and vertical slides being supported by inj my and automatic handling of the the same supporting structure as said chute whereby longitudinal ad ustment of said entire feeding mechanisinwith respect to the chucking mechanisnrmay be accomplished spect to the chucking mechanism of an automatic machine, a horizontal slide adapted to receive an article from'said chute and move it to aposition above the axis of said chucking mechanism, a vertical slide adapted to receive an article from the horizontal slide and move it downinto alinement with the axis of said chucking mechanism, said horizontal and vertical slides being supported by the same supportmg structure as said chute whereby longitudinal adjustment of said entire feeding mechanism With respect to the chucking mechanism may be accomplished without disturbmg the adjustment of the feeding mechanism, a cam shaft, cams adjustably secured to said cam shaft, and mechanisms operatively related to said cams for actuating said "slides, said Supporting structure carrying means to engage said cams and control their axial position on said shaft so as to keep them incoacting relation with said .mechanisms.

i. In a device of the class described, a chucking mechanism, a feed chute, a horizontal slide adapted to receive an article from said chute and move it to a position above the axis of said chucking mechanism, a vertical slide adapted to receive. an article from the horizontal slide and move it down into alinement with the axis of said chucking mechanism, a rocker shaft, a sleeve on said rocker shaft, said sleeve and rocker shaft being operatively connected one to the horizontal slide and the other to the vertical slide, and means for actuating said shaft and said sleeve.

5. In a device of the class described, a chucking mechanism, a supporting structure, a feed chute carried by said structure, a horizontal slide adapted to receive an article from said chute and move it to a position above the axis of said chucking mechanism, a vertical slide adapted to receive an article from the horizontal slide and move it down into alinement with the axis of said chucking mechanism, a rocker shaft carried by said supporting structure, a sleeve on said rocker shaft, said sleeve and rocker shaft being operatively connected one to the horizontal slide and the other to the vertical slide, a cam shaft, and cams adapted to actuate said rocker shaft and said sleeve, said cam being built into a unitary structure and being adjustable axially on said cam shaft.

6. 1m a device of the class described, a

chucking mechanism, a supporting structure, a feed chute carried by said structure, a horizontal slide adapted to receive an article from said chute and move it into a position in a vertical plane through the axis of said chucking mechanism, a vertical slide adapted to receive an article from the horizontal slide and to move it into alinement with the axis of said chucking mechanism, a rocker shaft carried by said supporting structure, a sleeve on said rocker shaft, said sleeve and rocker shaft being operatively connected one to the horizontal slide and the other to the vertical slide, a cam shaft, rotary cams dapted to actuate said rocker shaft and said sleeve, said cams being built into a unitary structure and being axially adjustable on said cam shaft, and a projection on said supporting structure engaging said cams and adapted to maintain them operatively positioned with respect to said sleeve and rocker shaft.

7. A feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a work holding device, a supporting structure adjustably mounted upon the iramework of a machine tool, a plurality of operating elements carried by said supporting'structure for successively advancing a work blank through a series of steps to said device, a cam shaft mounted in the framework of said machine tool, cam means adjustable longitudinally on said shaft, for actuating said operating elements, and means connecting said supporting structure with said cam means whereby said cam means will be bodily adjustable with said supporting structure.

8. A feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a feed chute, a horizontal transfer slide arranged to receive a work blank from said feed chute, a vertical transfer slide arranged to receive a work blank from said horizontal transfer slide, resilient means for actuating said slides in both directions of movement. and stop means for limiting the position of said slides at the points of transfer.

9. A feeding mechanism having, in combination, a supporting structure adjustably mounted on the framework of a machine. a feed chute, horizontal and vertical transfer means, a cam shaft, a pair of cams on said shaft, a rock shaft mounted in said supportmg structure, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said rock shaft, a pair of lovers secured respectively on said rock shaft and said sleeve and selectively engaging said cams, spring means for holding said levers against said cams, a pair of arms respectivelv attached to said rock shaft and said sleeve iind operatively connected with said transfer means, and spring means connected with said transfer means and acting to resist th a ti f said first mentioned spring means.

10. A feeding mechanism comprising, in

combination, the framework of amachine tool, a supporting structure adjustably mounted on said framework, sa d supporting structure having a lateral bracket, a U-shaped bracket and a vertical bracket, a horizontal transfer means mounted in said lateral bracket, a vertical transfer means mounted in said vertical bracket, cam means, and means mounted in said U-shaped bracket for operatively connecting said cam means with said transfer means, said cam means being adapted to actuate said transfer means in timed relation.

11. A feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a frame, a feed chute, a vertical trans. or slide mounted to reciprocate in said frame, holder carried by said slide and comprising a plurality of elements for grasping a work blank, means for transferring a work blank from said feed chute to said holder, a vertical link having a slotted con nection at its upper end with said slide, resilient means connecting said link and said slide and normally serving; to prevent any lost motion in said slotted connection, means for periodically reciprocating said link to actuate said slide, and means for limiting the displacement of said slide in one direction, said slotted connection serving to compensate for any excess movement of said link.

A feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a feed chute, a plurality of transfer mechanisms for periodically advancing a work blank from mid feed chute through a plurality of successive steps, and spring means for actuating said mechanisms in all directions of movement.

13. A feeding mechanism comprising, in con'ibination, a supporting frame, a plurality of operatin elements mounted on said frame, a cam shaft, a plurality of cams adjustable longitudinally on said shaft and adapted to operate said elements, said cams being formed into an integral structure, a collar having an annular groove carried by said cams, and a member on said frame arranged to engage said groove thereby connecting said cam structure with said frame for simultaneous adjustment therewith.

14-. In a device of the class described, a chucking mechanism, a feed chute, a transfer means adapted to receive an article from said feed chute and to move it into a position adiacent to but out of alincmcnt with the axis of said chucking mechanism, a second transfer means adapted to receive an article from said first transfer means and to move it into alinement with the axis of said chucking mechanism, a rocker shaft, a sleeve on said rocker shaft, said rocker shaft and said sleeve being operatively connected respectively to said transfer means, and means for actuating said shaft and said sleeve in timed relation.

15. A feedingmechanism comprising, in

combination, a frame, a transfer slide mounted to reciprocate in said frame, a holder carried by said slide and comprising means for grasping a work blank, means for transferring a Work blank to said holder, a link having a slotted connection at one end with said slide, resilient means connecting the other end of said link and said slide and normally serving to prevent lost motion in said slotted connection, means for reciprocating said link to actuate said slide, and means for limiting the movement of said slide in one direction, said slotted connection serving to compensate for excess movement of said link.

16. A feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of transverse slides operating at right angles and adapted to ad Vance a work blank successively in a series of steps from one position to another, spring means for moving each of said slides in each direction, and cam means for controlling the action of said spring means to effect a reciprocation of said slides in timed relation.

in testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

l' lLHELM GEDOR ALDEEN. 

